With a large focus on books at Blickling this summer, find out how we're working with local independent bookshops and the University of East Anglia to help us with our book related activities. From holiday drop in activity sessions and secret book trails in the garden to our favourite book titles in the shop, take a look at what we've got in-store for your visits this summer.

For bookworms big and small...

Discover 'The Word Defiant!', our art installation that reveals stories of the threats books are under throughout the world. Have fun in our Reflection Room filled with book-themed activities. Try redacting a book, design your own book plate or delve into a book. You'll also find ancient books that have been eaten by death watch beetle or damaged by water. Don't forget to leave your comments on our gigantic roll of paper before you head outside.

The house has been invaded by naughty bookworms. They have managed to get themselves into all sorts of strange places around the house. Why not see if you can spot them all as you walk around. Don’t forget to look up!

Continuing the book theme outside, follow the trail through the secret tunnel (here's a clue... it's near the secret garden) and see if you can work out the book titles as you explore. From children's much loved old classics to the world of Harry Potter, see if you can guess the book titles from the quotes and images you'll discover.

When you've explored the six installations inside the house (not forgetting the Temple outside for later), you'll reach the Reflection Room.

We've placed some of the specially selected titles in the room for you to enjoy. There's something very special about giving a child the opportunity and sit on the floor and choose some books to delve into, so please encourage this if you're visiting with little people. However, the books range from pre-school to young adult and through to adult titles.

If you find a particular favourite, head over to the Gift Shop afterwards, where most titles will be in stock for you to purchase. There are also some fabulous coffee table books, if you're looking for that perfect gift.

You'll also find a range of merchandise specially designed for The Word Defiant! From greetings cards and tote bags to mugs, magnets and tea towels, take home a little something to remind you of the installation and the importance of books.

Pick a favourite to enjoy at home

National Trust / Antonia Gray

Pick a favourite to enjoy at home

Be inspired

We've come up with a number of ways to really get you thinking about books and the importance of them in your own life.

The Reflection Room offers you the opportunity to take some time to reflect and respond to what you’ve seen so far. We’ve designed some fun and interactive exercises to capture your feedback, from redacting text to helping us create a huge book that will give an insight to the project and people's thoughts on books in many years to come.

Get lost in a good book

National Trust Images

Get lost in a good book

The second-hand bookshop

Open daily 10am - 5pm

On your visit, don't forget to pop in to our second-hand bookshop, which you'll find in the farmyard, near the cafe, plant centre and stamp shop.

Run by volunteers who are always willing to help and advise, you'll find all sorts of treasures on the shelves. With a beautiful collection of rare books right through to modern day fiction, and everything else in between, see what hidden gems you can find.

The spoken word

The Book Hive will be hosting a variety of talks over autumn, relating to The Word Defiant!. So far we've listened to a really interesting discussion with D.J Taylor and Rachel Hore on 'A Life (Together) in Books' as well as much loved journalist Lucy Mangan on her latest release 'Bookworm'. More events are planned for The Book Hive in Norwich, however, the following events will be at Aylsham Town Hall. Please check their website for further details:

In her ground-breaking new book, historian Lauren Mackay reveals the untold story of Thomas and George Boleyn - the father and brother of Anne Boleyn - bringing into the light two pivotal characters whose part in the rise and swift fall of Anne Boleyn has so far remained cloaked in shadow. Join The Book Hive at Aylsham Town Hall this October to celebrate the launch of Lauren's book - she'll be reading and discussing her work just a stone's throw from the Blickling Estate, a famous Boleyn family residence...

Missed Hugh at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival earlier this year? This is your chance to be transported to thirteenth century Wales by a master storyteller and author of 'The Assembly of the Severed Head' (published by The Book Hive's very own imprint, Propolis). Hugh's book tells the story of the making of The Mabinogion – an ancient Welsh myth cycle that is the earliest form of prose literature in Britain and an inspirational part of culture for hundreds of years...

You might also be interested in

The Word Defiant! is an exciting temporary art installation at Blickling that reveals stories of books that have been banned, burned, drowned, superseded, redacted, neglected and those that remain defiant.

With the launch of our installation ‘The Word Defiant!’ in May, we’ve been opening up opportunities for people who need extra support, to ensure that as many people as possible are able to experience the art. Take a look at what you’ll find at Blickling Estate this summer to help make your visit more accessible.